The following summary is taken from a lengthy article written by PATRICIA HATCHER. Ms. Hatcher is not related to the SHERMANs, but conducted an investigation into Sarah’s parentage after discovering so many erroneous facts posted in different forums.

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GENEALOGICAL SUMMARY

The life of MARGARET (---) (ODDING) PORTER was not one of stability. She was probably born by 1590 and married by 1610 to WILLIAM ODDYN, a weaver. In 1612 she was left a young widow with a small daughter, Sarah. Sometime before 1633, probably before 1629, she married JOHN PORTER likely in Braintree. John and Margaret had a daughter, Hannah, probably born in England. John, Margaret, Sarah, and Hannah came to Roxbury during 1633, where they joined the church late that year. John Porter and his son-in-law Philip Sherman were among those who broke from the Roxbury church. Margaret was uprooted again, moving to Portsmouth, Rhode Island, by 1638. Her life was not happy. John Porter abandoned her by 1665, moving to Pettaquamscutt and apparently taking up with another woman. Margaret was obliged to petition the court for relief, the last mention of her.

SARAH ODDING, only child of William Oddyn and Margaret (---), was born in Essex, probably Braintree, before 21 October 1612, the date of her father's will. Sarah married PHILIP SHERMAN probably in early 1634, and they moved to Portsmouth with her mother and stepfather. Sherman became the first General Recorder of Rhode Island (family genealogies call him "Secretary") Sarah and Philip had eleven children, all of whom survived to adulthood. Sarah was named in her husband's will 31 July 1681. Her date of death is not known.

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Reprinted with permission from the July 1998 issue of The American Genealogist [TAG].

The complete article is available by contacting TAG.

The American Genealogist, PO Box 398, Demorest GA 30535-0398; $30.00 a year
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